What Is A Path With Heart?
When Don Juan was talking with Carlos Castenada about finding a path through life, he explained it this way:
"Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then, ask yourself, and your self alone, one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it when I was young and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it.
Now I understand it. I will tell you what it is. Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good. If it doesn't, it is of no use."

Am I Already Following A Path With Heart?
When we ask ourselves this question, we quickly discover that no one else can define for us exactly what our path should be. Instead, we need to allow the energy and seeking of this question to vibrate, or resonate, within ourselves. Then, from somewhere inside, the answer will come, along with a new and deeper understanding of the question we have asked. By listening for even a brief moment, we will know if we are already following a path with heart. We will also know if we are not.

Can I Speak To My Heart Directly?
Yes, we can. Most ancient cultures already know, and practice, this. We can actually talk with the heart as if it is an old friend. We have gotten so wrapped up in our daily, busy lives and needs that we have lost the art of taking time to strike up a conversation with our hearts.

What Will I Hear From My Heart?
When we ask it about our present direction in life, we must look at the set of present values we have chosen to live by. We must take an honest look at what we put our time, our creativity, our strength and our love, into. This needs to be done without idealism, exaggeration or being overly sentimental.
In short: Does what I am presently choosing to do, reflect what I most deeply value?
We will certainly never hear words of criticism from it, while we will hear words of love and encouragement.

Is Following A Path With Heart Hard To Do?
It all depends on what we understand as hard. In order to see thpreciousnessss of life, we have to pay attention to it. As thenergieses of presence and simplicity begin to surface more and more, then this brings our path alive as we express ourselves more and more.
On the other hand, remaining in pain, being afraid of life, living in survival mode or worse, takes constant attention and huge amounts of physical, emotional and mental energy. It takes years off our lives, and makes the years that we have left seem like a total burden.

What Is The Bottom Line?
Ultimately, each of has to choose as to what we are willing to do. I believe there is nothing more wonderful than the opportunity to heal, grow and become the individuals we really are.